Grinding wheel structure

ABSTRACT

A grinding wheel structure including a wheel assembly having two wheels and a grinding section defined between inner sides of the wheels for grinding a tip of a knife. A retainer ring is located between the two wheels for the tip of the knife to lean against. The grinding section is composed of multiple grinding plates. Each grinding plate has an outer lateral edge and an inner lateral edge with equal lengths. The grinding plates are fixedly inlaid in the opposite inner sides of the wheels and sequentially overlapped with the inner and outer lateral edges aligned with each other. The inner and outer lateral edges of the grinding plates together form continuous arcs for grinding the blade of a knife. The retainer ring is independently rotatable so that the grinding position can be easily determined with both sides of the blade kept at equal heights. The shake taking place when the grinding wheels rotate at high speed for grinding the blade can be overcome. A user can hold the handle of the knife with hands more stably and the blade can be uniformly ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a grinding wheel structure which includes an independently rotatable retainer ring. The tip of the knife can be leant against the retainer ring so as to easily determine the grinding position.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a conventional grinding wheel structure for grinding the surface of a work piece. The conventional grinding wheel structure is composed of a wheel assembly 6 and a grinding section 61. The grinding section 61 has several grinding plates 62 arranged on the wheel assembly 6 about a shaft thereof. Each grinding plate 62 is a substantially rectangular plate having an outer lateral edge 621 and an inner lateral edge 622 with unequal lengths. The grinding plates 62 are fixedly arranged on the wheel 6 and sequentially overlapped with the outer lateral edges 621 aligned with each other. When overlapped, the corners of the grinding plates 62 will form sharp teeth 63. As a result, when grinding the blade, the surface of the blade can be hardly uniformly ground.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the tip 66 of the blade is manually fed to a grinding position of the grinding section 61. The grinding position and angle are visually controlled and determined by an operator. The tip 66 is usually directly pressed downward into the grinding section 61 for grinding the double-side blade 64 or single-side blade 65. The tip 66 is not leant against any fixed portion. Therefore, it often takes place that the double-side blade 64 or single-side blade 65 is fed at different heights. Besides, when the grinding wheels rotate at high speed, the knife manually held by the operator's hands often shakes or even bound away. This is quite dangerous.

Therefore, it is tried by the applicant to provide a measure for more precisely controlling the depth and angle by which the tip 66 is fed into the grinding section so as to prevent the double-side blade or single-side blade from being ground at different heights. Also, it is tried by the applicant to provide a measure for solving the problem of shake of the knife when ground at high speed. In addition, the applicant provides an improved structure of the grinding plate for more uniformly grinding the surface of the knife.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a grinding wheel structure including a wheel assembly having two wheels arranged opposite to each other. An inner side of each wheel is formed with a first recess. The other side of the wheel has a projecting hub section. The first recesses are mated with each other and a grinding section is defined between the inner sides of the wheel for grinding the blade of a knife. A rotary member is fitted through the wheels and a retainer ring is fitted around the rotary member and accommodated in the first recesses. The distance between the outer circumferences of the wheels and the outer circumference of the retainer ring is fixed. The tip of the knife can be leant against the retainer ring and located in grinding operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above grinding wheel structure in which the grinding section is composed of multiple grinding plates. Each grinding plate has an outer lateral edge and an inner lateral edge with equal lengths. A first side is interconnected between top ends of the outer and inner lateral edges. A second side is interconnected between bottom ends of the outer and inner lateral edges. The second side has a protruding engagement section. The grinding plates are fixedly inlaid in the opposite inner sides of the wheels and sequentially overlapped with the inner and outer lateral edges aligned with each other. The inner and outer lateral edges of the grinding plates together form continuous arcs for uniformly grinding the blade of the knife.

According to the above objects, the grinding wheel structure of the present invention includes a wheel assembly having two identical wheels arranged opposite to each other. The opposite inner side of each wheel is formed with a first recess. A shaft hole is formed at a center of the first recess. The other side of the wheel is formed with a projecting hub section. The first recesses of the two wheels are mated with each other, whereby a substantially V-shaped grinding section is defined between top ends of the first recesses and outer circumferences of the wheels for grinding the blade of a knife.

The grinding wheel structure of the present invention further includes a hollow rotary member having a first sleeve having a first annular section receivable in the hub section of the wheel. A first fitting section, a large diameter section and a small diameter section sequentially inward extend from the first annular section. A retainer ring is fitted around the large diameter section. The rotary member further has a second sleeve having a second fitting section and a second annular section outward extending from the second fitting section. The small diameter section is connected with the second fitting section of the second sleeve. The first and second fitting sections are respectively positioned on two sides of the retainer ring. Two resilient members are respectively fitted around the first and second fitting sections for restoring the wheels. An outer side of each of the first and second annular sections is formed with a depression in which a gasket is accommodated.

The grinding wheel structure of the present invention further includes a shaft rod fitted through the gaskets, the rotary member and the wheel assembly and tightened therewith by a locking member.

The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front partially sectional view showing the relationship between the rotary member, wheels and grinding section of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the use of a first embodiment of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the grinding section of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the use of a second embodiment of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the use of a third embodiment of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a conventional double-side grinding wheel structure;

FIG. 8 shows the grinding section of the conventional grinding wheel structure;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the use of the conventional double-side grinding wheel structure; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the use of a conventional single-side grinding wheel structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. The grinding wheel structure of the present invention includes a wheel assembly 1 having two identical wheels 11 arranged opposite to each other. The opposite inner side 111 of each wheel 11 is formed with a first recess 112. A polygonal shaft hole 113 is formed at the center of the first recess 112. The other side of the wheel 11 has a projecting hub section 114. The first recesses 112 of the two wheels 11 are mated with each other, whereby a substantially V-shaped grinding section 2 is defined between top ends of the first recesses 112 and outer circumferences of the wheels 11. In this embodiment, the grinding section 2 is composed of multiple grinding plates 21. Each grinding plate 21 has an outer lateral edge 211 and an inner lateral edge 212 with equal lengths. A first side 213 is interconnected between top ends of the outer and inner lateral edges 211, 212. A second side 215 is interconnected between bottom ends of the outer and inner lateral edges 211, 212. The second side 215 has a protruding engagement section 214. The grinding plates 21 are fixedly inlaid in the opposite inner sides 111 of the wheels 11 and sequentially overlapped with the inner and outer lateral edges 212, 211 aligned with each other. Therefore, the inner and outer lateral edges 212, 211 of the grinding plates 21 together form continuous arcs for grinding the blade 31 of a knife 3.

The grinding wheel structure of the present invention further includes a hollow rotary member 4. The rotary member 4 has a left sleeve 41 having a first annular section 411 receivable in the hub section 114. A first fitting section 412, a large diameter section 413 and a small diameter section 414 sequentially inward extend from the first annular section 411. A retainer ring 42 is fitted around the large diameter section 413. The retainer ring 42 has a width smaller than the opening travel of the wheels 11, whereby the tip 32 of the knife 3 can lean against the retainer ring 42. The rotary member 4 further has a right sleeve 43 having a second fitting section 431 and a second annular section 432 outward extending from the second fitting section 431. The small diameter section 414 is connected with the second fitting section 431 of the right sleeve 43. In this embodiment, the shapes of the shaft holes 113 of the wheels 11, the first fitting section 412 and the second fitting section 431 are all hexagonal. The first and second annular sections 412, 432 are respectively received in the hub sections 114 and the first and second fitting sections 412, 431 are respectively positioned on two sides of the retainer ring 42. Two resilient members 44 are respectively fitted around the first and second fitting sections 412, 431 for restoring the wheels 11. In addition, the outer side of each of the first and second annular sections 412, 432 is formed with a depression 45 in which a gasket 46 is accommodated.

The grinding wheel structure of the present invention further includes a shaft rod 5 fitted through the gaskets 46, the rotary member 4 and the wheel assembly 1 and tightened therewith by a locking member 51.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rotary member 4 is passed through the wheel assembly 1 and the shapes of the shaft holes 113 of the wheels 11, the first fitting section 412 and the second fitting section 431 are all hexagonal. Accordingly, the rotary member 4 is tightly connected with the wheel assembly 1 for synchronously driving the wheel assembly 1 to rotate.

The retainer ring 42 is fitted around the large diameter section 413 of the left sleeve 41. The outer circumference of the large diameter section 413 and the inner circumference of the retainer ring 42 are both polished. Therefore, the retainer ring 42 not only can rotate along with the rotary member 4, but also can rotate itself. The end faces of the first and second fitting sections 412, 431 on two sides of the retainer ring 42 serve to restrict and locate the retainer ring 42 so that the retainer ring 42 can stably rotate without deflection.

After the retainer ring 42 is assembled with the wheels 11, the retainer ring 42 is snugly received in the mated first recesses 112 of the wheel assembly 1. The distance between outer circumferences of the wheels 11 and the outer circumference of the retainer ring 42 is fixed. Accordingly, the tip 32 of the knife 3 can be leant against the retainer ring 42 and located.

In grinding operation, in the case that the knife 3 has a double-side blade 31 as shown in FIG. 3, the blade 31 is adapted to the V-shaped grinding section 2. A user can directly feed the tip 32 into the grinding section 2 between the opposite inner sides 111 of the two wheels 11. Since the distance between outer circumferences of the wheels 11 and the outer circumference of the retainer ring 42 is fixed, when the tip 32 touches the retainer ring 42, the blade 31 reaches a grinding position where the blade 31 is to be ground. Accordingly, the double-side blade 31 can be ground without difference in height. Therefore, the double-side blade 31 can be located in the grinding section 2 at equal height.

Moreover, when the tip 32 is leant against the retainer ring 42, the retainer ring 42 can independently rotate. Therefore, the shake taking place when the grinding wheels rotate at high speed for grinding the blade 31 can be overcome. Accordingly, the user can hold the handle of the knife with hands more stably.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, each grinding plate 21 has the outer lateral edge 211 and inner lateral edge 212 with equal lengths. The first side 213 is interconnected between top ends of the outer and inner lateral edges 211, 212. The second side 215 is interconnected between bottom ends of the outer and inner lateral edges 211, 212. The second side 215 has the protruding engagement section 214. The grinding plates 21 are fixedly inlaid in the opposite inner sides 111 of the wheels 11 and sequentially overlapped with the inner and outer lateral edges 212, 211 aligned with each other. Therefore, the equal inner and outer lateral edges 212, 211 of the grinding plates 21 together form continuous arcs. Therefore, the blade 31 can be uniformly ground.

According to the above arrangement, the present invention has the following advantages:

-   -   1. The tip of the knife can be leant against the retainer ring         and located.     -   2. The knife can be stably fed.     -   3. The knife can be uniformly ground.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention, which is used to grind a single-side blade. The grinding wheel structure includes a wheel assembly 1A having a first wheel 11A and a second wheel 12A arranged opposite to each other. The inner side 111A of the first wheel 11A is formed with a first recess 112A. A polygonal first shaft hole is formed at the center of the first recess 112A. The other side of the first wheel 11A has a projecting hub section 114A. The inner side 121A of the second wheel 12A is formed with a second recess 122A. A polygonal second shaft hole is formed at the center of the second recess 122A. The first and second wheels 11A, 12A are mated with each other to define a grinding section 2A tapered from outer side to inner side for grinding the blade 31A of a knife 3A. The grinding section 2A has a structure identical to that of the first embodiment and thus will not be further described hereinafter.

The second embodiment of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention further includes a hollow rotary member 4A having two fitting sections 41A on two sides. A large diameter section 411A is integrally formed between the two fitting sections 41A. A retainer ring 42A is fitted around the large diameter section 411A. The retainer ring 42A has a width smaller than the opening travel of the wheels 11A, 12A. The fitting section 41A is fitted through the first shaft hole of the first wheel 11A. A spring 44A is fitted around the fitting section 41A and enclosed by an annular stopper section 45A integrally connected with the fitting section 41A. The stopper section 45A is accommodated in the hub section 114A and the spring 44A serves to restore the wheels 11A, 12A.

The second embodiment of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention further includes a shaft rod 5A fitted through two gaskets 46A, the rotary member 4A and the wheel assembly 1A and tightened therewith by a locking member 51A.

In use, the single-side blade 31A is directed to the grinding wheel structure and the tip 32A is directly fed into the grinding section 2A between the inner sides 111A, 121A of the wheel assembly 1A and leant against the retainer ring 42A. This embodiment can achieve the same effect as the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the grinding wheel structure of the present invention, in which the wheel assembly 1B has two wheels 11B arranged opposite to each other. The distance from the top edge of the inner side 111B of one of the wheels 11B to the first recess 112B is smaller than the distance from the top edge of the outer side 115B of the wheel 11B to the first recess 112B. Therefore, an inclined section 116B is formed between the top edge of the inner side 111B and the top edge of the outer side 115B. Accordingly, the wheel 11B is a tapered body tapered from outer side to inner side. This embodiment can achieve the same effect as the above embodiment.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A grinding wheel structure comprising: a wheel assembly having two identical wheels arranged opposite to each other, an outer side of each wheel having a projecting hub section, a substantially V-shaped grinding section being defined between inner sides of the wheels for grinding a tip of a knife; a hollow rotary member having a first sleeve having a first annular section receivable in the hub section of the wheel, a first fitting section, a large diameter section and a small diameter section sequentially inward extending from the first annular section, a retainer ring being fitted around the large diameter section, the rotary member further having a second sleeve having a second fitting section and a second annular section outward extending from the second fitting section, the small diameter section being connected with the second fitting section of the second sleeve, the first and second fitting sections being respectively positioned on two sides of the retainer ring, two resilient members being respectively fitted around the first and second fitting sections for restoring the wheels, outer side of each of the first and second annular sections being formed with a depression in which a gasket is accommodate; and a shaft rod fitted through the gaskets, the rotary member and the wheel assembly and tightened therewith by a locking member.
 2. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opposite inner side of each wheel is formed with a first recess, a polygonal shaft hole being formed at a center of the first recess, the projecting hub section being formed on the other side of the wheel, the first recesses of the two wheels being mated with each other, whereby a substantially V-shaped grinding section is defined between top ends of the first recesses and outer circumferences of the wheels.
 3. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grinding section is composed of multiple grinding plates, each grinding plate having an outer lateral edge and an inner lateral edge with equal lengths, a first side being interconnected between top ends of the outer and inner lateral edges, a second side being interconnected between bottom ends of the outer and inner lateral edges, the second side having a protruding engagement section.
 4. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance from top edge of the inner side of one of the wheels to the first recess is smaller than a distance from top edge of the outer side of the wheel to the first recess, whereby an inclined section is formed between the top edge of the inner side and the top edge of the outer side and the wheel is a tapered body tapered from outer side to inner side.
 5. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tip of the knife is leant against the retainer ring, whereby the blade of the knife can be kept at equal height.
 6. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer ring is independently rotatable.
 7. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer ring has a width smaller than an opening travel of the wheels to ensure that the two wheels are forced by the resilient members and kept mated with each other.
 8. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer ring is fitted around the large diameter section of the first sleeve and the end faces of the first and second fitting sections on two sides of the retainer ring serve to restrict and locate the retainer ring, whereby the retainer ring can stably rotate without deflection.
 9. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the grinding plates are fixedly inlaid in the opposite inner sides of the wheels and sequentially overlapped with the inner and outer lateral edges aligned with each other, whereby the inner and outer lateral edges of the grinding plates together form continuous arcs for grinding the blade of a knife.
 10. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the grinding section is composed of multiple grinding plates, each grinding plate having an outer lateral edge and an inner lateral edge with equal lengths, a first side being interconnected between top ends of the outer and inner lateral edges, a second side being interconnected between bottom ends of the outer and inner lateral edges, the second side having a protruding engagement section.
 11. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shapes of the shaft holes of the wheels are identical to the shapes of the first and second fitting sections, whereby the rotary member can drive the wheel assembly to synchronously rotate.
 12. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the grinding plates are fixedly inlaid in the opposite inner sides of the wheels and sequentially overlapped with the inner and outer lateral edges aligned with each other, whereby the inner and outer lateral edges of the grinding plates together form continuous arcs for grinding the blade of a knife.
 13. A grinding wheel structure comprising: a wheel assembly having a first wheel and a second wheel arranged opposite to each other, an inner side of the first wheel being formed with a first recess, a polygonal first shaft hole being formed at a center of the first recess, the other side of the first wheel having a projecting hub section, an inner side of the second wheel being formed with a second recess, a polygonal second shaft hole being formed at a center of the second recess, the first and second wheels being mated with each other to define a grinding section for grinding the blade of a knife; a hollow rotary member having two fitting sections on two sides, a large diameter section being integrally formed between the two fitting sections, a retainer ring being fitted around the large diameter section, the fitting section being fitted through the first shaft hole of the first wheel, a spring being fitted around the fitting section and enclosed by an annular stopper section integrally connected with the fitting section, the stopper section being accommodated in the hub section and the spring serving to restore the wheels; and a shaft rod fitted through two gaskets, the rotary member and the wheel assembly and tightened therewith by a locking member.
 14. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 13, wherein a distance from top edge of the inner side of one of the second wheel to the second recess is smaller than a distance from top edge of the outer side of the second wheel to the second recess, whereby an inclined section is formed between the top edge of the inner side and the top edge of the outer side and the second wheel is a tapered body tapered from outer side to inner side.
 15. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 13, wherein the grinding section is composed of multiple grinding plates, each grinding plate having an outer lateral edge and an inner lateral edge with equal lengths, a first side being interconnected between top ends of the outer and inner lateral edges, a second side being interconnected between bottom ends of the outer and inner lateral edges, the second side having a protruding engagement section, the grinding plates being fixedly inlaid in the opposite inner sides of the wheels and sequentially overlapped with the inner and outer lateral edges aligned with each other, whereby the inner and outer lateral edges of the grinding plates together form continuous arcs for grinding the blade of a knife.
 16. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 13, wherein the retainer ring has a width smaller than an opening travel of the wheels.
 17. The grinding wheel structure as claimed in claim 13, wherein the grinding section is tapered from outer side to inner side. 